A Compilation of Knowledge to Cross the Oceans 1560 (Portugal) 1 Bound volume, manuscript on paper and parchment; 241 folios; 42,5 x 30 x 6 cm (cap), 40,3 × 27,7 cm (folios) Torre do Tombo National Archives of Portugal PT/TT/CRT/166 Starting in the 15th century, several European nations initiated a maritime expansionist movement that led to the creation of vast colonial empires. Long-distance ocean voyages posed many technical challenges and great efforts were made to overcome those difficulties, requiring the contribution of professionals from different disciplines. The document presented here is a collection of diverse texts on the technical aspects of oceanic navigation. Some of these works are attributed to João de Lisboa, a celebrated Portuguese pilot from the first half of the 16th century. Whereas some of the works contained in this document may have been authored by him, it is likely that in other cases he was just the compiler of information that circulated in nautic...